Hydrangea plant named ‘SCHROLL 116-09-01a’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Hydrangea  plant named ‘SCHROLL116-09-01a’, characterized by its compact, upright and mounded plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit and strong stems; large mophead-type inflorescences with light pink-colored sterile flowers that are initially greenish white in color during early development; long flowering period; and strong root system.

Botanical designation: Hydrangea macrophylla.

Cultivar denomination: ‘SCHROLL116-09-01a’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea plant, botanically known as Hydrangea macrophylla and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘SCHROLL116-09-01a’.

The new Hydrangea plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Aarslev, Denmark. The objective of the breeding program was to develop new container-type Hydrangea plants with strong stems, early flowering response and attractive leaf and flower coloration.

The new Hydrangea plant originated from a cross-pollination in May, 2009 of a proprietary selection of Hydrangea macrophylla identified as code number 68-00, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection of Hydrangea macrophylla identified as code number 04-00, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Hydrangea plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor in 2014 as a flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment in Aarslev, Denmark.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by softwood cuttings in Aarslev, Denmark since 2014 has shown that the unique features of this new Hydrangea plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Hydrangea have not been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘SCHROLL116-09-01a’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘SCHROLL116-09-01a’ as a new and distinct Hydrangea plant:

-   -   1. Compact, upright and mounded plant habit.     -   2. Moderately vigorous growth habit.     -   3. Freely branching habit and strong stems.     -   4. Large mophead-type inflorescences with light pink-colored         sterile flowers that are initially greenish white in color         during early development.     -   5. Long flowering period.     -   6. Strong root system.

Plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of the female parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hydrangea are more uniform and stronger         than plants of the female parent selection.     -   2. Plants of the new Hydrangea flower earlier than plants of the         female parent selection.     -   3. Plants of the new Hydrangea and the female parent selection         differ in sterile flower color as plants of the female parent         selection have sterile flowers that are darker pink in color.     -   4. Plants of the new Hydrangea have longer postproduction         longevity (shelf-life) than plants of the female parent         selection.     -   5. Plants of the new Hydrangea have stronger root systems than         plants of the female parent selection.

Plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of the male parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hydrangea are more compact than plants of         the male parent selection.     -   2. Plants of the new Hydrangea flower earlier than plants of the         male parent selection.     -   3. Plants of the new Hydrangea have larger and softer         inflorescences than plants of the male parent selection.     -   4. Plants of the new Hydrangea and the male parent selection         differ in sterile flower color as plants of the male parent         selection have sterile flowers that are darker pink in color.

Plants of the new Hydrangea can be compared to plants of Hydrangea macrophylla ‘H213901’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,221. Plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of ‘H213901’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the Hydrangea are more compact than and not as         vigorous as plants of ‘H213901’.     -   2. Plants of the new Hydrangea flower earlier than plants of         ‘H213901’.     -   3. Inflorescences of plants of the new Hydrangea have more         sterile flowers than inflorescences of plants of ‘H213901’.     -   4. Sterile flowers of plants of the new Hydrangea are flatter         than and not as folded and curly as sterile flowers of plants of         ‘H213901’.     -   5. Plants of the new Hydrangea and ‘H213901’ differ in sterile         flower color as plants of ‘H213901’ have sterile flowers that         are dark red purple in color.

Plants of the new Hydrangea can be compared to plants of Hydrangea macrophylla ‘H213906’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,509. Plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of ‘H213906’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the Hydrangea are more compact than and not as         vigorous as plants of ‘H213906’.     -   2. Plants of the new Hydrangea and ‘H213906’ differ in sterile         flower color as plants of ‘H213906’ have sterile flowers that         are dark pink in color.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the unique appearance of the new Hydrangea plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Hydrangea plant.

The photograph on the first sheet comprises a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘SCHROLL116-09-01a’ grown in a container.

The photograph on the second sheet is a close-up view of a typical inflorescence of ‘SCHROLL116-09-01a’ with developing and fully developed sterile flowers.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Plants used in the aforementioned photographs and in the following description were grown during the early spring in 13-cm containers in a glass-covered greenhouse in Aarslev, Denmark and under cultural practices typical of commercial Hydrangea production. Plants of the new Hydrangea were pinched one time and were one year old when the photographs and description were taken. During the production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 15° C. to 25° C., night temperatures ranged from 10° C. to 20° C. and light levels ranged from 40 to 50 klux. Plants used for the description and photographs were not treated with aluminum sulfate to “blue” the inflorescences. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2007 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical description: Hydrangea macrophylla ‘SCHROLL116-09-01a’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of Hydrangea             macrophylla identified as code number 68-00, not patented.         -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Proprietary selection of Hydrangea             macrophylla identified as code number 04-00, not patented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type cutting.—By softwood cuttings.         -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About ten days at             temperatures about 18° C. to 22° C.         -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About two weeks at             temperatures about 18° C. to 20° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About four             weeks at temperatures about 18° C. to 20° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About five             weeks at temperatures about 18° C. to 20° C.         -   Root description.—Strong root system; medium in thickness,             fibrous; white, close to N155B, in color.         -   Rooting habit.—Low branching; sparse. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Perennial subshrub; compact, upright             and mounded plant habit; broadly inverted triangle; freely             branching habit with about eight to ten lateral branches             developing per plant; strong lateral branches; moderately             vigorous growth habit.         -   Plant height.—About 35 cm to 40 cm.         -   Plant diameter or area of spread.—About 25 cm to 35 cm.         -   Lateral branches.—Length: About 20 cm to 25 cm. Diameter:             About 5 mm to 6 mm. Internode length: About 3.5 cm to 4 cm.             Strength: Strong. Texture: Smooth, glabrous; becoming woody             with development. Color, developing: Close to 142A and 149A             to 149C. Color, developed: Close to 199B. Color, lenticels:             Close to N199B. -   Leaf description:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite, simple.         -   Length.—About 9 cm to 12 cm.         -   Width.—About 8 cm to 10 cm.         -   Shape.—Ovate.         -   Apex.—Acute or sub-acuminate.         -   Base.—Obtuse to rounded.         -   Margin.—Serrate.         -   Texture and luster, upper surface.—Rugose, glabrous;             moderately glossy.         -   Texture and luster, lower surface.—Rough, glabrous;             prominent venation; matte.         -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate, reticulate.         -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to 131A and             136A. Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 144B to             144C. Fully expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to 131A;             venation, close to 146B. Fully expanded leaves, lower             surface: Close 146B; venation, close to 146C.         -   Petioles.—Length: About 4 cm. Diameter: About 8 mm to 10 mm.             Strength: Strong. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth,             glabrous. Color, upper surface: Close to 142B and 140C.             Color, lower surface: Close to 146A. -   Inflorescence & flower description:     -   -   Flower type and habit.—Showy single sterile and             inconspicuous single fertile flowers arranged on terminal             mophead-type panicles; panicles flattened globular in             overall shape; fertile flowers face mostly upright and             sterile flowers face upright to outwardly; early flowering             habit, plants begin flowering about eight and ten weeks             after planting during the summer and winter, respectively.         -   Natural flowering season.—Continuous flowering during the             summer in Northern Europe.         -   Flower longevity, fertile flowers.—Flowers last less than             one month; fertile flowers not persistent.         -   Flower longevity, sterile flowers.—Long flowering period,             flowers last about four months on the plant; sterile flowers             persistent.         -   Quantity of flowers.—Freely flowering habit with about 20 to             40 fertile flowers and about 150 sterile flowers per             panicle.         -   Fragrance.—None detected.         -   Panicle height.—About 6 cm to 8 cm.         -   Panicle diameter.—About 16 cm to 18 cm.         -   Flower diameter, fertile flowers.—About 1 cm.         -   Flower depth (height), fertile flowers.—About 4 mm.         -   Flower diameter, sterile flowers.—About 3.5 cm to 5 cm.         -   Flower depth (height), sterile flowers.—About 2 cm.         -   Flower shape, fertile flowers.—Deltoid.         -   Flower shape, sterile flowers.—Deltoid.         -   Flower buds, fertile flowers.—Length: About 3 mm. Diameter:             About 3 mm to 4 mm. Shape: Flattened globular. Color: Close             to 144C, becoming closer to 69A to 69B with development.         -   Flower buds, sterile flowers.—Length: About 3 mm. Diameter:             About 2 mm to 3 mm. Shape: Flattened globular. Color: Close             to 144B.         -   Petals, fertile flowers only.—Quantity and arrangement: Five             in a single whorl; valvate. Length: About 3 mm to 4 mm.             Width: About 2 mm to 4 mm. Shape: Roughly deltoid. Apex;             Acute. Base: Rounded. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper             surface: Smooth, glabrous. Texture, lower surface: Rough,             glabrous. Color: When opening, upper surface: Close to 69B             to 69D. When opening, lower surface: Close to 69A to 69D.             Fully opened, upper surface: Close to 69A and 69B; color             becoming closer to 69C to 69D and 54B with development.             Fully opened, lower surface: Close to 69A and 69B; color             becoming closer to 69C to 69D and 54B to 54C with             development.         -   Sepals, fertile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Five in a             single whorl; imbricate. Length: About. 3 mm to 4 mm. Width:             About 3 mm to 4 mm. Shape: Deltoid. Apex: Acute. Base:             Rounded. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper and lower surfaces:             Smooth, glabrous; velvety. Color: When opening, upper             surface: Close to 56C and 56D. When opening, lower surface:             Close to 69C to 69D and 56C to 56D. Fully opened, upper and             lower surfaces: Close to 69A to 69B; color does not change             with development.         -   Sepals, sterile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Four, or             rarely five, in a single whorl; imbricate. Length: About 2             cm to 3 cm. Width: About 4 cm. Shape: Deltoid. Apex:             Subacute. Base: Rounded. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper             surface: Smooth, glabrous. Texture, lower surface: Rugose,             glabrous. Color: When opening, upper and lower surfaces:             Close to 149D. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to 83A and             79A to 79B; color becoming closer to 69A to 69B with             development. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to 79C and             56D; color becoming closer to 69B to 69C with development.         -   Pedicels, fertile flowers.—Length: About 1 mm to 2 mm.             Diameter: About 1 mm to 2 mm. Strength: Moderately strong.             Aspect: Upright to slightly slanted. Texture: Smooth,             glabrous. Color: Close to 55B.         -   Pedicels, sterile flowers.—Length: About 2 cm to 3 cm.             Diameter: About 2 mm. Strength: Strong. Aspect: About 35° to             45° from vertical. Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color: Close             to N79C.         -   Reproductive organs, fertile flowers only.—Stamens: Quantity             per flower: About eight, or rarely ten. Filament length:             About 1 mm to 2 mm. Filament color: Close to N155D. Anther             length: Less than 1 mm. Anther shape: Two-lobed, conical.             Anther color: Close to N155C to N155D. Pollen amount:             Abundant. Pollen color: Close to N155C to N155D. Pistils:             Pistil quantity per flower: About three. Pistil length:             About 2 mm. Stigma shape: Club-shaped. Stigma color: Close             to 54B. Style length: About 1.5 mm. Style color: Close to             54B to 54C.         -   Seeds.—Quantity: Numerous. Color: Close to 200C. -   Disease & pest resistance: Plants of the new Hydrangea have been     observed to be resistant to spider mites; plants of the new     Hydrangea have not been observed to be resistant to pathogens and     other pests common to Hydrangea plants. -   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Hydrangea have been shown     to be tolerant to temperatures ranging from −5° C. to 35° C. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Hydrangea plant named ‘SCHROLL116-09-01a’ as illustrated and described. 